President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received a delegation led by Governor General of Ardabil province of the Islamic Republic of Iran Majid Khodabakhsh.

President Ilham Aliyev hailed bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran as excellent. Underlining the importance of numerous meetings on the presidential level in recent years, the head of state noted that both countries spared no efforts to develop bilateral ties. Pointing to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's successful visit to Azerbaijan this August, President Ilham Aliyev noted that bilateral and trilateral issues were discussed during the visit, which aimed to further develop Azerbaijan-Iran relations, and bring the two nations closer to each other. Hailing the importance of sustainable mutual cooperation, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the Governor General of Ardabil province of the Islamic Republic of Iran Majid Khodabakhsh's visiting Azerbaijan with a large delegation was of pivotal importance in terms of strengthening regional and interstate relations between the two countries.

Governor General of Ardabil province Majid Khodabakhsh conveyed the greetings of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani to President Ilham Aliyev. He congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the 25th anniversary of the restoration of state independence. Saying he first visited Azerbaijan in 1990-1991, Majid Khodabakhsh noted that as part of his visit he travelled to Baku, Sumgayit and Nakhichivan. He said he has witnessed rapid development processes. Majid Khodabakhsh emphasized that great work done in Azerbaijan under the leadership of national leader Heydar Aliyev has been successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev. Saying they visited Sumgayit during this trip too and witnessed rapid development here, Majid Khodabakhsh hailed the decision of Sumgayit and Ardabil to become sister cities.

The sides exchanged views on the expansion of cooperation between the two countries' regions in a variety of fields, including mutual investment and tourism.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the greetings of President Hassan Rouhani and asked Majid Khodabakhsh to extend his greetings to the Iranian head of state.

AZERTAC